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Film & TV Locations
The Witcher (2021)
Fans of Netflix’s The Witcher may recognise Low Force Waterfall as a filming location used in season two of the hit show. Low Force was the backdrop for a scene in episode 7, when Yennefer and Ciri flee the Temple of Melitele. As they reach the river (The River Tees) that they cannot cross as the footbridge is broken.
1917 (2020)
Some of the most dramatic moments of the Oscar and BAFTA award-winning film were shot at Raby Estate in Teesdale. Film crews descended on Low Force Waterfall to capture the river escape of British soldier Will Schofield, which sees him clambering out of the River Tees onto the bank in the final leg of his search for the Devon regiment.
Downton Abbey The Movie (2019)
Beamish, the Living Museum of the North returned to the big screen once again as the cast and crew of Downton Abbey returned to film scenes for the highly anticipated movie of the beloved tv series. More than 100 cast and crew descended on Beamish for filming, which involved some of the museum’s staff and period vehicles.
Avengers Endgame (2019)
Scenes from the 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Avengers: Endgame were filmed at Durham Cathedral. In the movie, the surviving Avengers members and their allies attempt to reverse the damage caused by villain Thanos in Infinity War. The cathedral’s Galilee Chapel and parts of main building were transformed into The Asgardian Palace on Asgard – the superhero Thor’s home planet.
The Last Kingdom (2017)
Blast Beach at Nose’s Point Nature Reserve on the Durham Heritage Coast was used as a stand in for an Icelandic beach during the second season of the hit historical Netflix drama. A slave traders camp was built on the beach, and scenes shot there include the dramatic chase scene as Uhtred and his Viking friends try to escape their slave captors.
Vera (2011 – present)
Vera is a British crime drama series based on the Vera Stanhope novels by Ann Cleeves, starring Brenda Blethyn as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.
Many locations across Durham have been featured in the show. From the riverbanks at Durham City, Citrone Cafe in Front Street, Chester-Le-Street, Peterlee’s Apollo Pavilion and Blast Beach, Seaham, to name but a few.Harry Potter (2001-2002)
Durham Cathedral's beautiful cloisters doubled as an exterior shot for Hogwarts School in Philosopher's Stone (2001), and was also where Harry Potter released his pet Owl, Hedwig. In The Chamber of Secrets (2002), the cloisters were the setting for Ron Weasley’s spectacular slug vomiting, and The Chapter House was transformed into Professor McGonagall classroom, where she taught the young wizards transfiguration.
Billy Elliot (2000)
It seems entirely appropriate that a film set against the backdrop of the coalminers’ strike of 1984-85 was partly filmed in a county which wears its industrial heritage with pride. Billy Elliot, the son and brother of coalminers, is caught between his love of dance and his loyalty to his strike-torn family. The former Durham pit villages of Easington and Seaham proved perfect for filming street scenes.
Elizabeth (1998)
The spectacular Thames River pageant scene from the 1999 BAFTA Best British Film, Elizabeth was staged at Raby Castle! But did you know that Raby Castle was the real life setting for ‘The Rising of the North’, a rebellion which attempted to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and replace her with her catholic sister Mary Queen of Scots! The Nave of Durham Cathedral was also featured in the film as the Queen’s royal palace.
Alien 3 (1992)
The third instalment of the si-fi horror film series delves deeper into the battle between Lt Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and the killer alien species. Blast Beach on the Durham Heritage Coast was used as the surface of an eerie alien planet. The film was nominated for an Visual Effects Academy Award, but since the making of the movie the Durham Heritage Coast has won awards for its own visual effects.
Get Carter (1971)
Sinister and influential, Get Carter set the standards for future British crime films. Set in NE England, the story tracks gangster Jack Carter (Michael Caine) on his quest to uncover the truth behind his brother’s seemingly accidental death. Locations featured in the movie include Dryderdale Hall near Hamsterley Forest, which was used for the home of gangster Cyril Kinnear and the bleak ending was filmed at Blackhall Rocks Beach.
The War Below (2021)
Cast and crew spent five days at Beamish Museum filming various scenes for The War Below. The WW1 film tells the story of British miners who were recruited to tunnel underneath no man’s land and break the deadly stalemate at the Battle of Messines in 1917. Locations included the Masonic Hall, 1900s Town street, Rowley Station and in the Mine Manager’s Office and No. 2 Francis Street in the 1900s Pit Village.
Lady Macbeth (2017)
The Lambton Estate in Chester-le-Street, a beach in the coastal town of Seaham and Cow Green Reservoir near High Force in Teesdale were all used during filming of Lady Macbeth.
Florence Pugh, the Oscar nominated British actress plays the lead in a British retelling of a lurid Russian story from 1865 about a discontented, and ultimately violent, young bride.Dark Angel (2016)
Dark Angel is based on the extraordinary true story of Victorian poisoner Mary Ann Cotton, famously known as Britain's first female serial killer. Parts of the ITV drama, starring Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt were filmed at the award-winning Beamish Museum. Mary Ann Cotton is believed to have killed up to 21 people, and she was executed at Durham Jail in 1873.
Victoria (2016)
ITV’s major new drama series stars Jenna Coleman as a young Queen Victoria. Parts of the series were filmed at Raby Castle in the Durham Dales. The ambitious 8-part drama follows the early life of the Queen, from her ascension to the throne at the tender age of 18 through to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert.
Image credit ITV/Mammoth Screen
Downton Abbey (2015)
Beamish Museum appeared in the last ever episode of Downton Abbey on Christmas Day 2015. Beamish’s Town street was covered in “snow” in July, when filming took place with Lady Mary Crawley (played by Michelle Dockery), Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode). The museum was delighted to welcome over 100 cast, crew and supporting artists.
George Gently (2012 - 2014)
George Gently is shot on location in Durham City and surrounding area. Set during the swinging 1960’s, detective Inspector George Gently (Martin Shaw) steers his way through a world where forensics was in its infancy.
Ushaw Historic House & Gardens and Durham's UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Castle provided a stunning backdrop for this popular crime drama.
The Paradise (2012)
Set in a luxury department store, The Paradise is the biggest BBC drama to be made in North East England. The 19th century Lambton Castle, near Chester-le-Street, was used as the set for the series. The estate grounds were transformed into the glamorous world of make believe with the construction of a replica Victorian street, whilst the Castle’s amazing interiors were refurbished to add glamour and glitz.
Joe Maddison's War (2010)
The story of a shipbuilder who finds himself too old to be involved in active service as WW2 breaks out, feeling he needs to contribute he joins the Home Guard. The story that follows becomes an exploration of friendship and the very human need for a sense of belonging. Written by one of the region’s most highly regarded playwrights (Alan Plater) and stars North East born and bred actors (Kevin Whately and Robson Green).
